Fresh hope emerged this week that the end could be in sight for the removal of a tyre mountain that

has blighted the north Norfolk landscape for a decade.

Fresh hope emerged this week that the end could be in sight for the removal of a tyre mountain that

has blighted the north Norfolk landscape for a decade.

The Times has learned that the Tattersett Business Park, controversial home to hundreds of thousands of rotting car and lorry tyres, is about to be purchased by a new owner.

According to London-based commercial surveyors, Colliers, the purchase by a new owner is at the exchange of contracts

stage with completion due by the end of August.

The firm's associate director, Annabel Church, refused to disclose the name of the new purchaser, but it is believed to be businessman Howard Willingham.

One of the key factors in the sale was

that potential purchasers were made aware of the site's history and that they would be expected to take some responsibility for the long-awaited removal of the infamous tyre mountain.

The news was welcomed on Monday by North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, who has been closely involved in the long-running saga and four years ago even took the case to the Cabinet office.

He said that news that a potential new owner is at exchange of contract stage could mean that at long there could be light at then end of the tunnel.

“After the ups and downs of this saga this is potentially quite exciting news,” said Mr Lamb.

He added: “Provided that the potential new owners of the business park are legitimate and serious about their intentions, it is incredibly good news, and the Environment Agency could then work with them in bringing an end to the tyre mountain.”

Annabel Church, whose firm has been negotiating the sale, confirmed that the purchase was at the exchange of contract stage with completion expected at the end of August..

“Because of the existence of the tyre mountain it wasn't a very easy sale although the sale eventually went forward relatively quickly,” she said.

Ms Church said that all interested parties had to show confirmation that they had talked to North Norfolk District Council officials and the Environment Agency and were aware of the past difficulties of the site.

Mr Lamb has said publicly on previous occasions that it was important to keep up the pressure over the issue because it was completely unacceptable that the situation had dragged on for so long.

“It is intensely frustrating, particularly for the local communities living close to the

tyres because they are an eyesore and a

serious environmental risk. The local communities deserve to have this problem resolved,” he said.